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Tissue and organ donation is truly an unselfish gift, "a gift that saves lives." By simply telling your next of kin and signing the back of a driver's license or donor card, you can give this "one last gift." Tissue and organ donation is truly a gift of hope to the donor families as well as to those whose lives are enhanced or saved because of the donor's generosity. Frequently Asked Questions Who can become an organ and tissue donor? If a donor card or license is signed, does the family still have to give consent? Does the donor's family have to pay the cost for organ and tissue donation? How does tissue and organ donation affect funeral arrangements? What can be donated to save and improve lives? Do the majority of religions support organ and tissue donation? If you want to donate your tissue and organs when you die, what should you do? Can you change your mind after signing a donor card? Why is there such a need for donation? What does American Red Cross Tissue Services Do? What is the Donor Family Network? Who can become an organ and tissue donor? Almost anyone can become a donor. Tissue donors range in age from newborn to over 80 years old. Back to Top If a donor card or license is signed, does the family still have to give consent? Yes, the legal next of kin must always give permission before donation can occur. Back to Top Does the donor's family have to pay the cost for organ and tissue donation? No. The donor's family does not pay for tissue and organ donation. The organ procurement program or the tissue bank pays for costs associated with the tissue recovery. Hospital expenses prior to the donation, as well as the funeral expenses, remain the responsibility of the donor's family. If you have any further questions about this issue, please contact your local organ procurement agency or tissue procurement organization. Back to Top How does tissue and organ donation affect funeral arrangements? Tissue and organ donation will not usually affect funeral plans or prohibit an open-casket funeral. Back to Top What can be donated to save and improve lives? There are several organs and many kinds of tissue that can be donated to save or improve lives. Organ donation can help 5 to 7 people through donations of heart, lungs, livers, kidneys, and pancreas. Tissue donation can enhance the lives of over 50 people through donations of heart valves, bone, skin, corneas, and connective tissues. People may specify what organs and/or tissue they wish to donate. Back to Top Do the majority of religions support organ and tissue donation? Virtually all religions support the right to choose donation. Leading members of most religious faiths are on record in support of donation as an expression of the highest humanitarian ideal. If you have questions about religious beliefs consult your religious leader or review the statements from various religions at http://www.redcross.org/donate/tissue/relgstmt.html Back to Top If you want to donate your tissue and organs when you die, what should you do? First, fill out a donor card or mark your driver's license and carry it with you at all times. Second, discuss your wishes to donate with your family. Make sure your next of kin understands your commitment to donation because in the event of your death, they will make the final decision about the donation. Back to Top Can you change your mind after signing a donor card? Yes. Simply tear up your donor card and tell your family or loved ones about your decision. Nothing else is necessary. Back to Top Why is there such a need for donation? There are 60,000 people waiting on a national list for organ transplants. The list grows by 20% every year. Many die each day waiting for an organ to become available. Today, only a small fraction of the tissue needed for transplantation is actually available. About 500,000 people a year could have the quality of their lives improved by tissue donation. Back to Top What does American Red Cross Tissue Services Do? The Red Cross provides tissue transplants of bone, skin, heart valves, and connective tissue through the gifts of tissue donor families. We raise awareness throughout the country about the need for both organ and tissue donations. Back to Top What is the Donor Family Network? The American Red Cross offers ongoing care and support through the Donor Family Network. This volunteer program is designed for donor families to help each other as they go through the grieving process. Those who volunteer will be in contact, on a monthly basis, with other families who have experienced a similar loss. Some door families become involved in the American Red Cross Tissue Services Speaker Bureau to help educate their communities about the need for donation. In addition, the donor families may get involved in many other activities of the American Red Cross. For more information, call 1-888-4TISSUE, or visit us at http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/tissue/. Back to Top © 2002 Kristen Ann Althoff. All Rights Reserved.